Android Wear 2.0 May Be a Game Changer for Wearable Tech

Many companies have already stated that Android Wear 2.0 will be available with the purchase of their smartwatch. Wearable devices running previous version of Android Wear haven’t had many attractive features, making customers keep their distance. Android Wear 2.0 is going to be released to keep up with the latest features of Apple’s WatchOS and Samsung’s Tizen.

“Today, we’re launching Android Wear 2.0 to give you watch faces that do more, better ways to work out, more ways to stay in touch, new ways to use apps, and on-the-go help from Google Assistant.”

In Android Wear 1, there used to be a lot of swiping action going on to navigate through the menu, but in the new version all you have to do is swipe down from the top and then you can swipe to your desired menu option in a moment’s notice. Other ways that Android Wear is trying to keep up the pace with Apple is by making the user interface more elegant in which you can add or remove features such as the battery level indicator and more.

Notifications have a bigger view which you can access and be able to send and receive messages, and make use of their special wrist gesture functionality by flicking your wrist in or out to send messages. Devices may use a similar scroll for menu options like Apple’s Digital Crown for Apple Watches.

David Singleton, the engineering chief at Android Wear says,

“In an instant, you can check when and where you’re meeting a friend, whether you’ll need an umbrella tonight, or how many minutes you’ve been active today-all without reaching for your phone.”

Android Wear 2.0 may be the last attempt made to establish dominance in the wearable software market; and if it doesn’t fare too well Apple and Samsung will be the clear winners. It’s often tough to convert users to smartwatches as their smartphones do everything they can, but in a better way; and it’s not a complex task to take your phone out of your pocket. This, and very limited battery times are key factors which are keeping users away from smartwatches. Fitbit and other sport watch companies are faring quite well as their UIs are simple and their purpose is clear and concise.

Google stated that the first two devices to launch with the new software will be the LG Watch Style and Watch Sport.